Buckle accessory

ABSTRACT

A buckle covering device that is configured to be surroundably mounted a belt buckle being worn by a user wherein the present invention provides coverage of the belt buckle so as to inhibit damage to any object that comes in contact with the belt buckle. The present invention includes a first portion and a second portion that are contiguously formed. The first portion and second portion are foldably coupled wherein the second portion is movable between a first position and a second position. The second portion of the body of the present invention includes a slit that is configured to be operably coupled to a button on a pant or jean. The first portion of the body further includes a securing strap located on the inner surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment the body of the present invention is manufactured from leather.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to belt buckle accessories, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a belt buckle cover device wherein the present invention is operable to provide coverage of the front of the belt buckle when being worn so as to inhibit potential damage that could be caused by contact with the belt buckle on objects such as but not limited to musical instruments.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, belt buckles are an operable portion of a belt and they are used both for providing a proper fit of a pant or jean to the waist of the wearer as well as employed for decorative or fashion purposes. There are several styles of conventional belt buckles but all of them are designed to secure the loose end of the belt thereto and maintain the loose end in the desired position. Most belt buckles are manufactured from a hard material such as but not limited to plastic or metal. Belt buckles can be quite ornate and have a fairly large front surface area in some styles.

One issue with conventional metal belt buckles is the potential damage that they can cause to various objects. By way of example but not limitation, a metal belt buckle can scratch and scar the rear surface of a guitar during playing thereof by a musician whom is wearing a metal belt buckle. The rear surface of the guitar during playing thereof is adjacent to and typically biased against the lower torso of the musician. In this position if the musician is wearing a belt the front surface of the belt buckle engages the rear surface of the body of the guitar. As guitars are typically made of wood the metal belt buckle will most often scratch the rear surface of the body of the guitar. Guitars can cost thousands of dollars and have high end wood finishes and as such it is undesirable to a musician to damage the body of the guitar and subsequently have the surface of the guitar repaired.

Accordingly, there is a need for a belt buckle cover device that can be superposed the belt buckle while being worn by a user that provides a layer of material inhibiting the ability for the belt buckle to cause damage to any object that is placed thereagainst.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a belt buckle cover device that is configured to inhibit damage to an object that is placed against the belt buckle wherein the present invention includes a body manufactured from a non-marring material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to be operably coupled to a belt buckle while being worn that provides coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle wherein the body of the present invention includes a first portion and a second portion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a belt buckle cover device that is configured to inhibit damage to an object that is placed against the belt buckle wherein the first portion and second portion of the body are contiguously formed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to be operably coupled to a belt buckle while being worn that provides coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle wherein the first portion of the body and second portion of the body are foldably moveable with respect to each other.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a belt buckle cover device that is configured to inhibit damage to an object that is placed against the belt buckle wherein the first portion is adjacent the front surface of the belt buckle subsequent the present invention being secured to the belt buckle.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to be operably coupled to a belt buckle while being worn that provides coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle wherein the second portion of the body can be placed behind the pant or between the pant and belt buckle during wearing of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to a provide a belt buckle cover device that is configured to inhibit damage to an object that is placed against the belt buckle wherein the second portion of the body has a slit formed in the center thereof.

An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to be operably coupled to a belt buckle while being worn that provides coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle wherein the front surface of the first portion can include decorative indicia or similar markings thereon.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a belt buckle cover device that is configured to inhibit damage to an object that is placed against the belt buckle wherein the second portion of the body has a width that is less than that of the width of the first portion of the body.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to be operably coupled to a belt buckle while being worn that provides coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle wherein the preferred embodiment of the present invention is manufactured from leather.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention with the second portion of the body in its second position; and

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention with the second portion of the body in its second position; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention surroundably mounted an exemplary belt buckle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a buckle covering device 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Now referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the buckle covering device 100 includes a body 10. In a preferred embodiment the body 10 is manufactured from a foldable non-marring material such as but not limited to leather. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could be manufactured from various suitable materials in order to accomplish the desired objective of inhibiting damage to an object that is adjacent to and against the exemplary belt buckle 99. The body 10 includes a first portion 15 and a second portion 20. The first portion 15 and second portion 20 are contiguously formed and foldable along seam 25. The first portion 15 includes outer surface 16 and it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer surface 16 could have decorative indicia thereon. The first portion 15 is generally rectangular in shape in a preferred embodiment but it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first portion 15 could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes. The first portion 15 further includes an inner surface 17 that is configured to be adjacent the front side of the belt buckle 99.

The second portion 20 of the buckle covering device 100 includes a first side 21 and a second side 22. The second portion 20 is movable between a first position and a second position so as to facilitate the buckle covering device 100 being operably coupled to a belt buckle 99. In the first position the second portion 20 is adjacent the first portion 15 having a void therebetween of sufficient size to accommodate the belt buckle 99. Moving the second portion 20 to the second position, as is illustrated herein in FIG. 2 , places the second portion 20 such that the second portion 20 is in axial alignment with the first portion 15 creating a temporary planar orientation for the body 10. The planar orientation of the body 10 allows a user to place the second portion 20 either behind the pant or behind the belt buckle 99 for installation of the buckle covering device 100. The buckle covering device 100 can be worn to cover the belt buckle 99 with either the second portion 20 intermediate the belt buckle 99 and the pant or with the second portion 20 between the pant and the user of the buckle covering device 100. The second portion 20 has a length that is greater than that of the first portion 15. The greater length of the second portion 20 facilitates improved securement of the buckle covering device 100. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a second portion 20 of the body 10 that has a greater length than the first portion 15, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the second portion 20 could be provided in alternate lengths. In a preferred embodiment the second portion 20 has a width that is less than that of the first portion 15 to facilitate easier insertion behind the belt buckle 99 or behind the pant.

The second portion 20 includes a slit 30 formed in the center thereof. The slit is formed utilizing suitable techniques and is formed completely through the second portion 20 of the body 10. The slit 30 is provided to allow a user to fasten the second portion 20 of the body 10 to a button that is typically available on a pant or jean. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the slit could be provided in alternate sizes and/or locations on the second portion 20 of the body. The second portion 20 further includes a magnet 40 embedded therein. The magnet 40 is a conventional magnet and can be utilized to releasably secure the second portion 20 in the desired position against a metal belt buckle. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the second portion 20 could have more than one magnet and that the magnet could be located in alternate positions on the second portion 20.

The first portion 15 has secured to the inner surface 17 thereof a securing strap 50. The securing strap 50 is operably coupled to the opposing lateral edges 8,9 of the first portion 15. The securing strap 50 is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to an elastic material. Subsequent placement of the buckle covering device 100 the securing strap 50 can be operably coupled to the exemplary belt buckle 99 so as to inhibit movement of the first portion 15 during use of the buckle covering device 100.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device configured to provide coverage of a front surface of a belt buckle being worn by a user wherein the device comprises: a body, said body having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being contiguously formed, said second portion being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position said first portion and said second portion are adjacent each other having a void therebetween; and wherein in said first position said first portion of said body is adjacent the front surface of the belt buckle and said second portion is proximate a rear surface of the belt buckle.
 2. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 1, wherein in said second position said second portion is moved so as to be axially aligned with said first portion.
 3. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 2, wherein said first portion includes an outer surface and an inner surface.
 4. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 3, wherein said second portion further includes a slit formed proximate a center thereof.
 5. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 4, wherein said second portion has a length that is greater than that of a length of the first portion.
 6. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 5, and further including a securing strap, said securing strap being coupled to said inner surface of said first portion of said body.
 7. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said body has a width that is greater than that of a width of the second portion of said body.
 8. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 7, wherein said body is manufactured from a non-marring material.
 9. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 8, wherein in said first position said second portion is intermediate a portion of a pant of the user and the belt buckle.
 10. The device configured to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 8, wherein in said first position said second portion is intermediate a portion of a lower torso of the user and the portion of the pant of the user.
 11. A belt buckle covering device configured to be surroundably mounted to a belt buckle to provide coverage of a front surface of the belt buckle wherein the belt buckle covering device comprises: a body, said body having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being contiguously formed, said first portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, said second portion of said body having a first side and a second side, said second portion being foldable between a first position and a second position, said second portion having a length that is greater than that of a length of the first portion, wherein in said first position said first portion and said second portion are adjacent each other having a void therebetween; and a slit, said slit being formed in said second portion of said body, said slit extending through said second portion from said first side to said second side, said slit being proximate a center of the second portion of said body, wherein in said second position said first portion of said body and said second portion of said body are axially aligned.
 12. The belt buckle covering device configured to be surroundably mounted to the belt buckle to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 11, and further including a securing strap, said securing strap being coupled to said inner surface of said first portion of said body, said securing strap being secured to opposing lateral edges of said first portion of said body extending thereacross.
 13. The belt buckle covering device configured to be surroundably mounted to the belt buckle to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 12, wherein said first portion of said body has a width that is greater than that of a width of the second portion of said body.
 14. The belt buckle covering device configured to be surroundably mounted to the belt buckle to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 13, and further including at least one magnet, said at least one magnet being embedded into said second portion of said body.
 15. The belt buckle covering device configured to be surroundably mounted to the belt buckle to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 14, wherein in said first position said second portion is intermediate a portion of a pant of the user and the belt buckle.
 16. The belt buckle covering device configured to be surroundably mounted to the belt buckle to provide coverage of the front surface of the belt buckle as recited in claim 15, wherein said body is manufactured from leather. 